The suspect accused of setting fire to a former Oneonta firefighter's home, a blaze that killed him after rushing his family to safety, has been arrested, and law enforcement are still investigating.

Former part-time Oneonta firefighter John Heller, 38, died after a fire broke out at the 5 Walling Ave. apartment residence early Saturday. Heller, who rented a third-floor apartment, managed to get his four young nephews and his fiancée to safety before his death.

Terrence Truitt, 34, has been charged with a felony count of first-degree arson in connection with the fire, Oneonta police announced Wednesday. Truitt was sent to the Otsego County jail Tuesday to await further court action.

The fire broke out around 4:21 a.m. Saturday. Investigators haven't disclosed an alleged motive in the arson or how the blaze started.

Oneonta Police Chief Douglas Brenner, during a livestreamed news conference late Wednesday, said 70-plus leads have been pursued in the ongoing investigation but it doesn't appear Truitt has any connection to Heller.

Heller served in an on-call capacity in the fire department in 2003, then part-time from 2004 until 2009.

In a statement, Oneonta Mayor Gary Herzig described Heller as "a true hero."

"Our hearts go out to his family and friends," Herzig said Wednesday. "Since that first call early Saturday morning, our firefighters, uniformed police officers and detectives have worked tirelessly, in partnership, under difficult physical and emotional circumstances. We can all be very proud of their professionalism."

Heller's obituary said he enjoyed model trains, loved to decorate for the holidays and was especially a fan of watching University of Michigan football games.

An Oneonta native, Heller graduated from Oneonta High School in 2000 and attended Herkimer Community College. Later, he worked as a Life Skills Supervisor at Oneonta Job Corp Academy.

ean Lindsey in the bedroom of her daughter Cheri, who was murdered in 1984, when she was 12-years-old. The Lindseys have kept Cheri's bedroom the same as it was before she was killed. Kate Collins / Staff photo

Cheri Lindsey's stuffed animals and sports equipment. Cheri was murdered in 1984, when she was 12-years-old. The Lindseys have kept Cheri's bedroom the same as it was before she was killed. Kate Collins / Staff photo

A newspaper clipping and graduation tassle mark the year Cheri Lindsey would have graduated high school, had she lived. David and Jean Lindsey have kept Cheri's bedroom the same as it was before she was murdered in 1984. Kate Collins / Staff photo

Jean Lindsey shows her daughter Cheri's favorite clothes. Cheri was murdered in 1984 when she was 12-years-old. The Lindseys have kept Cheri's bedroom the same as it was before she was killed. Kate Collins / Staff photo

David and Jean Lindsey in the bedroom of their daughter Cheri, who was murdered in 1984, when she was 12-years-old. The Lindseys have kept Cheri's bedroom the same as it was before she was killed. Kate Collins / Staff photo

Cheri Lindsey's stuffed animals and toys. Cheri was murdered in 1984, when she was 12-years-old. The Lindseys have kept Cheri's bedroom the same as it was before she was killed. Kate Collins / Staff photo

Cheri Lindsey's stuffed animals and toys. Cheri was murdered in 1984, when she was 12-years-old. The Lindseys have kept Cheri's bedroom the same as it was before she was killed. Kate Collins / Staff photo

Jean Lindsey in the bedroom of her daughter Cheri, who was murdered in 1984, when she was 12. The Lindseys have kept Cheri's bedroom the same as it was before she was killed. Kate Collins / Staff photo

Cheri Lindsey's stuffed animals and toys. Cheri was murdered in 1984, when she was 12-years-old. The Lindseys have kept Cheri's bedroom the same as it was before she was killed. Kate Collins / Staff photo

Jean Lindsey with a softball trophy in the bedroom of her daughter Cheri, who was murdered in 1984, when she was 12-years-old. The Lindseys have kept Cheri's bedroom the same as it was before she was killed. Kate Collins / Staff photo

Cheri Lindsey's stuffed animals and sports equipment. Cheri was murdered in 1984, when she was 12-years-old. The Lindseys have kept Cheri's bedroom the same as it was before she was killed. Kate Collins / Staff photo

A newspaper clipping and graduation tassle mark the year Cheri Lindsey would have graduated high school, had she lived. David and Jean Lindsey have kept Cheri's bedroom the same as it was before she was murdered in 1984. Kate Collins / Staff photo